2 New Orleans officers fired in taped beating

A third one is suspended in the post-Katrina case; union says it will fight the dismissals

MARY FOSTER, Associated Press

Published 6:30 am, Thursday, December 22, 2005

NEW ORLEANS - Two officers were fired Wednesday for a beating in the French Quarter shortly after Hurricane Katrina that was photographed and videotaped by the Associated Press. A third officer was suspended.

The confrontation renewed long-standing allegations of racism, brutality and corruption in the New Orleans Police Deparment. The three officers are white, and Davis is black. Davis said he does not believe race was an issue in the beating.

Evangelist and Schilling were accused of battery against Davis. Smith was accused of battery against a reporter. All three officers had been suspended without pay since the incident. They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and face trial Jan. 11.

"This case became highly publicized through the media," union president Lt. David Benelli said. "In light of the worldwide media frenzy these officers were placed under, it was impossible for them to receive a fair investigation."

After seeing the video of the beating, police Superintendent Warren Riley called the officers' actions unacceptable — comments that Benelli said interfered with their ability to get a fair investigation by the police internal affairs division.